Black Page 66

Description of work

'Using pen and ink (Rotring isograph .25) because being fascinated by the technical skill and elegance of 18th & 19th c. engravers, I decided to draw the Black Page as a homage to them. Closely crosshatched engraved lines were used to describe the darkest tones in an image, for which I substituted pen lines in ink. I knew it would be more or less boring, but "I can be as anal as the next man," I boasted to myself. I tried to observe my surface feelings with yogic detachment. Initial excitement at the concept and minor technical hurdles gave way to workmanlike pride which slid into irritation and self-doubt at my initial decision. Should it have been a bold single brushstroke applied with Whistleresque mastery? Eventually the inanity and tedium of laying one line as close as possible to the last crushed my impotent fury and I became a slave to the process. My concentration seemed to increase and there were even flashes of a sort of pleasure - emanating I suppose from the most perverse part of my psyche.Nearing the end I wondered - what if I died immediately on finishing the last line? Would it be a fitting or even hilarious epitaph and elegy to my work? Would it engender general pity and esteem ---- would passersby, stopping to cast a look at it walk on and sigh,

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Purchase catalogue

The catalogue brings together all 73 pages and reveals who the artist or writers are of each page and how their page was made. Priced £40.00 and available from the Laurence Sterne Trust website.

THE BLACK PAGE

The Black Page exhibition at Shandy Hallcelebrates the 250th anniversary of Vols I & II of Tristram Shandy by Laurence Sterne.Page 73 of Volume I is a Black Page which marks the death of Parson Yorick.73 artists/writers have each been asked to create a 'Black Page' for exhibition and sale by auction.

But which artist created which page?Each work is signed by the artist and is for sale, but the signatures of the contributors are hidden beneath the black mounting board. Their descriptions of their work may provide clues.Each artist has provided a description of the materials used and the making of each page and this is appended under the relevant picture on the blog, and available in the gallery.

Each Black Page is for sale by auction.

Bidding starts at £73, to rise in increments of £10 minimum.Bids will be recorded in the comments under the relevant Black Page on the blog and in the gallery at Shandy Hall.Bidding will only be accepted by email to shandyhall@dial.pipex.com, letter or in person to Patrick Wildgust, and will close at 11.59pm on October 31st 2009.All monies raised will contribute to the grant by English Heritage to repair the roof at Shandy Hall.

A stone Black Page (sculpted by Peter Coates) has been installed on Sterne’s grave in the churchyard of St Michael's church, Coxwold and Nutty Slack by Patrick Hughes, Quilt by Tom Phillips and Black Page- the Movie by Revolution Films can be seen in the gallery.Exhibition continues until 31 October. Open every day (except Saturdays) 11am - 4pm (see Laurence Sterne Trust link above)